Published 2017 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

The effect of aluminum additions on the oxidation resistance of U3Si2

Creators

  • 1. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Description

The effect of aluminum additions to U3Si2 is investigated in this paper as a means to improve the oxidation resistance of this nuclear fuel form. Four U-Si-Al compositions have been synthesized and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The onsets of breakaway oxidation are identified in air thermal ramp tests using thermogravimetric analysis. The final oxidation products following 1000° C air exposure are identified using x-ray diffraction and compared to those of UO2 and U metal oxidized in the same manner. Finally, thermogravimetric data acquired in this study indicates that increasing amounts of Al in U3Si2 further delays the onset of breakaway oxidation, providing enhanced oxidation resistance in air. Al2O3 formation on U3Al2Si3 is observed following a heat treatment performed at 500° C in air, demonstrating the potential of Al additions to improve the oxidation resistance of U3Si2.

Availability note (English)

Available from http://www.osti.gov/pages/biblio/1412882 ; DOE Accepted Manuscript full text, or the publishers Best Available Version will be available free of charge after the embargo period

Additional details

Identifiers

URL
http://www.osti.gov/pages/biblio/1412882;
DOI
10.1016/j.jnucmat.2017.02.045;

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of Nuclear Materials
Journal Volume
489
Journal Page Range
p. 84-90
ISSN
0022-3115

INIS

Country of Publication
Netherlands
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
49031199
Subject category
S11: NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS;
Descriptors DEI
ALUMINIUM ADDITIONS; ALUMINIUM OXIDES; HEAT TREATMENTS; NUCLEAR FUELS; OXIDATION; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; URANIUM DIOXIDE; URANIUM SILICIDES; X-RAY DIFFRACTION
Descriptors DEC
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS; ALLOYS; ALUMINIUM ALLOYS; ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS; CHALCOGENIDES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; COHERENT SCATTERING; DIFFRACTION; ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; ENERGY SOURCES; FUELS; MATERIALS; MICROSCOPY; OXIDES; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; REACTOR MATERIALS; SCATTERING; SILICIDES; SILICON COMPOUNDS; URANIUM COMPOUNDS; URANIUM OXIDES

Optional Information

Contract/Grant/Project number
AC52-06NA25396
Funding organization
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy - NE, Fuel Cycle Technologies (NE-5) (United States); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) (United States)
Secondary number(s)
LA-UR--17-30757; OSTIID--1412882